Many airports around the world are applying AI, smart gate allocation and changing boarding methods to reduce flight delays.
According to airports, in theory, cutting flight time by a few minutes may not seem significant, but this can help airlines save a lot of money. That also means services for tourists will be improved. Arriving a few minutes early can make the difference between catching up or missing your connecting flight, reducing the domino effect of delays and flights arriving more on time. The approaches being implemented by airports could help air travel operate more efficiently in the future.
AI improves airport capacity
London Heathrow Airport is testing AI technology to improve air traffic management. Heathrow hopes to reduce flight delays by using ultra-high-definition cameras, advanced AI and machine learning to replace human controls when weather reduces range. look. This will make takeoff confirmation on the runway more efficient and ensure the next flight can arrive or take off on time.
Air traffic controllers test a screen that displays a real-time panoramic view of the runway and aircraft gate. Image: AFP/Getty Images
This technology is also being used at Eindhoven, Schiphol Netherlands and Berlin Brandenburg airports Germany.
Smart port allocation
Major carriers in the US continue to test new procedures at airports during the holidays. Last year, US air travel was severely disrupted, leaving thousands of travelers stranded at airports.
American Airlines introduces new technology to allocate gates at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport – the world's second busiest airport. The automated system reduces the risk of aircraft being forced to move from side to side in a large airport. As a result, they save an average of 2 minutes on each flight, equivalent to 11 hours a day. For passengers, it also means 50% fewer gate changes and reduced delays.
American Airlines CEO David Seymour said last-minute gate changes when a plane arrives will cause delays for a variety of ground services and aircraft landing and takeoff.
The Smart Gating program is also deployed at Charlotte Douglas, Miami, Ronald Reagan Washington and O'Hare International Airports in Chicago. In 2023, American Airlines ranked third among major US airlines for on-time arrivals, up from fifth in 2022.
Faster boarding method
Carriers are also looking to reduce flight times by speeding up boarding procedures. United Airlines is introducing a new system for economy class in which window seat passengers board first, followed by middle seat passengers and finally aisle passengers.
United Airlines applies a new boarding method. Image: Dailymail
“It helps spread passengers out along the aisle of the plane so that multiple people can store their bags at the same time. This method will help speed up the boarding process,” explains Jason Steffen, Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. United Airlines says this method can save two minutes per flight.
Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines is testing the use of clearer signs and music in the plane's trunk to help passengers move more quickly. Low-cost airline Frontier Airlines completely eliminates telescopic tubes and uses stairs. According to the airline, getting off the plane by stairs can use both aircraft doors instead of one door. Chief executive Barry Biffle said this could save the airline up to 10 minutes.
The above methods will help passengers reduce waiting time, the airport can receive more aircraft as well as the ability to add more flights.
Chi Phu (Follow Euronews, CNBC)
